Russian authorities have officially recognized as a victim the Tajik father of a baby boy who died while in Russian custody.

Having that status will allow Rustam Nazarov to remain in Russia until the probe into the death of his son is wrapped up.

Five-month-old Umarali Nazarov died on October 14, a day after his parents were briefly detained in St. Petersburg and accused of violating migration rules.

Russian officials said the child had died in hospital after suffering respiratory problems.

The parents challenged this, insisting the boy was healthy.

Russian authorities agreed to open a probe into the child's death only after an outcry, not only from Tajik migrants and human rights activists in Russia, but from government officials in Tajikistan as well.

In November, the child’s mother, Zarina Yunusova, was deported to Tajikistan. She accused Russian officials of taking the action to stop her from pressing authorities on the investigation into her son’s death.